Jackson County

Melzie S. Aaron, 71, of Jefferson, died Monday, June 30, 2008.

Born in Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late Lee Earnest “Pete” and Floella Gee Self. She was a homemaker and was Baptist. Mrs. Aaron was preceded in death by her first husband, Robert Boone; second husband, Skeets Aaron; and a son, Bobby Veal.

Survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Sandy and Harold Beck, Pendergrass, Debbie and Larry Wilson and Lynn and Jimmy McCollugh, all of Jefferson, Dianna and Wayne Painter, Dahlonega, Patsy Ferguson, Braselton, and Skeeter Byrd, Monroe; sons and daughters-in-law, John and Cindy Boone, Jefferson, Wayne and Flora Aaron, Winterville, and Danny and Vickie Boone, Commerce; a brother and sister-in-law, the Rev. Robin Self and Ruth Self, Winder; special friend, Joyce and Randy Jones, Jefferson; 26 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 2, at 11 a.m., in the chapel of Evans Funeral Home with the Revs. Bo Robinson and Robin Self officiating. Burial will be in the White Plains Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday, July 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.

James Pinkney Roberts, 91, of Hoschton, died Thursday, June 26, 2008.

Born in Jackson County, he was the son of the late Guy and Lillie Pirkle Roberts. He was a field representative with the Agricultural Soil Conservation Service, was a member of the Rockwell Lodge #191 for over 50 years, and the Hoschton United Methodist Church. He was a veteran, having served in the United States Army during World War II. Mr. Roberts was preceded in death by his wife, Dora Lee Reid Roberts.

Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Luella Ledford, Jasper, Kenneth and Karen Ledford, Toccoa, and Joe and Sherry Ledford, Cleveland; daughter and son-in-law, LaJuana and Gary Duck, Braselton; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and nieces and spouses, Linda and David Sloyer, Gainesville, Annie and Ronald Dickson, Monroe, La.

Funeral services were held Sunday, June 29, in the chapel of Evans Funeral Home with the Revs. Mike Phillips and Louis Ortiz officiating. Burial was in the Hoschton City Cemetery. Members of the Rockwell Lodge were pallbearers.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Stephen Ledford Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Jasper United Methodist Church, 85 W. Church St., Jasper, Ga. 30143.

Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, was in charge of arrangements.

Terry Lynn Roberts, 57, of Jefferson, died Wednesday, June 25, 2008.

Born on September 5, 1950, in Lucas County, Iowa, he was the son of the late Johnnie and Twila Neal Roberts. He was employed with MCI as a fiber optics installer. Mr. Roberts was preceded in death by brothers, Gary, Larry, Jimmie and Donald Roberts; and sisters, Joyce Pfrimmer and Patricia “Patty” West.

Survivors include sons, John Roberts and Larry Roberts, both of Iowa; daughter, Nikki Roberts, Rock Falls, Ill.; a brother, Jerry Roberts, Bettendorf, Iowa; sisters, Sherri Cupit, Jefferson, Linda Isom, Killeen, Texas, Barbara Cain, Republic, Mo., Beverly Thompson, Wedowee, Ala.; and three grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to Abby Hospice, 215 Azalea Court, Social Circle, Ga. 30025.

Little-Davenport Funeral Home, Gainesville, was in charge of arrangements.

Betty Ruth Wilson, 77, of Commerce, died Sunday, June 29, 2008, at Peachtree Village.

She was born in Banks County, the daughter of the late Dillard and Agnes Ray Wilson and was retired from First Commerce Bank.

Survivors include a brother and sister-in-law, Raymond and Judy Wilson, Commerce; sister and brother-in-law, Annie Bob and Gene McDuffie, Commerce; nieces and nephews, Tim and Tammy Wilson, Todd Wilson, Tommy and Stacey Wilson, Greg McDuffie and Agnes McDuffie.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 1, at 3 p.m., at Webbs Creek Baptist Church with the Revs. Henry Webb and Bill Ford officiating. Burial will be in Webbs Creek Baptist Church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday, June 30, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Little Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.

Betty Lou Aaron, 56, of Commerce, died Friday, June 27, 2008, at her residence.

She was born in Clarke County, the daughter of the late Edgar and Elberta Hooten Denton. She was preceded in death by a sister, Missie Teet.

Survivors include her husband, Clarence Aaron; daughters, Robbie Sims and Becky Austin, both of Toccoa, Jessica Wilder, Commerce; sons, Terry Lankford, Craig Lankford and Shawn Lankford, all of Commerce, James Smith, Habersham County, Ronnie Smith, Ila, Raymond Smith, Talmo; brothers, David Moats, Jonesboro, Donald Denton, Elberton, Tony Denton, Athens; sisters, Linda Casper, Colbert, Janie Bowles, Commerce; 18 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Monday, June 30, in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home. Burial was in Howington Cemetery.

Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.

James Thomas “Tom” Owensby Sr., 76, died Saturday, June 28, 2008, at BJC Hospital in Commerce.

Born in Hart County, he was the son of the late Allen and Mattie Sims Owensby. Mr. Owensby was a veteran, having served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.

Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth McElreath Owensby; sons and daughters-in-law, Tommy and Betty Lane Owensby, Bobby and Anne Owensby, all of Nicholson, Billy and Deborah Owensby, Colbert; brother, Bernice Owensby, Commerce; sister, Kate Lacey, Commerce; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Monday, June 30, in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home with the Revs. Henry Webb and David Harbin officiating. Burial was in Grey Hill Cemetery.

Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.

Eunice Blanche Williams, 87, of Alpharetta, died Wednesday, June 25, 2008, at the Cumming Nursing Center. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Glenn Williams; and a daughter, Marilyn Gail Ingram.

Survivors include her son-in-law, Hubert Ingram, Alpharetta; grandchildren, Ray, Michael and Melissa Ingram, Glenn Price; great-grandchild, Marilyn Grace Ingram; daughter, Sylvia Price, Lawrenceville; brother and sister-in-law, Carl and Helen Yarbrough, Monroe; sisters, Agnes Barfield, Smyrna, Jean Sullens, Toccoa, and Ruth Davis, Griffin.

Graveside services were held Saturday, June 28, at Floral Hills Cemetery in Tucker.

McDonald and Son Funeral Home, Cumming, was in charge of arrangements.

Sharon Rae Crouse, 63, of Nicholson, died Friday, June 27, 2008.

Survivors include her husband, Larry E. Crouse; children, Patrick James Crouse, Michael L. Crouse, Melissa M. Darnel, Matthew C. Crouse; and six grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.

Winfrey’s Funeral Home, Athens, is in charge of arrangements.

Annie Mae Kidd, 87, of Gainesville, died Saturday, June 28, 2008, following an extended illness.

She was born on April 1, 1921, in Jackson County, the daughter of the late Marion and Florence Savage Porter. She was retired from New Holland Mill (Pacolet Manufacturing), and was Baptist. Mrs. Kidd was preceded in death by her husband, John Kidd.

Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, John and Barbara Kidd and Oden and Marie Kidd, all of Gainesville; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; brother, Bernice Porter, Suches; sister, Mildred Cochran, Covington; special caregivers from United Hospice, Nicki, Robin and Jennifer.

Graveside services were held Monday, June 30, at Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. John Reeser officiating.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, Gainesville, was in charge of arrangements.